How to Survive in a Foreign Country

Imagine that you are the airport. It’s 4 pm, and the only thing that you see is people leaving or coming into the country. Nowadays, there are many people that have to leave from countries for different reasons, and then they have to find a better life in another country. It’s at this point when you think about how to survive in a foreign land. First, before leaving for a new country, you’ll have to know at least where you are going. This means the country, the city and maybe the neighborhood. If you have the different addresses and phones number, it will help you a lot. It’s important to know just a little bit about the culture like music, food, religious practices and politics. Some rules that people use in this country are also important, and they are going to be your best friend. Afterwards, you need to know where you’ll find help such as friends, family, even your country’s embassy. Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is to adapt yourself to this country, but you’ll get it if you start meeting people, learning the language and getting a job. Now, you are in a new country, and I want to say please don’t be scared, and don’t be sad. Think that this new country will give you a lot of good opportunities.
Andres Rozo

A Melting Pot?

In Wednesday's class, we talked about the concept or metaphor of the United States as a melting pot. Based on your experiences in this country, what do you think? Is this country really a melting pot or is it a place where immigrants can maintain their identity and culture?

A Lesson you Taught Someone

This story is about my friend and me. My friend and I always hung out with some other friends. However, we were the best, and I knew his family very well. His family is kind and they know how to care about neighbors. But unfortunately, he doesn’t know about my family because my family lives in Korea. So he couldn’t see my family, and I couldn’t introduce him to them. A few years ago, my friend called me at night crying. He cried sorrowfully. The reason he called me was that he had a fight with his dad, and he does not usually fight with his family. He was looking for a job, but his father didn’t agree with it. My friend needed to get his job so badly. My friend was so upset, so he ran away for a month. He was sleeping at another friend’s house. On the weekend, I called his cell phone, and I told him to make an agreement with his father. After we had talked, he went back his house. After several days, I called his father to give him my opinion about his son’s job. I told his father many things about how teenagers need to get a job either part time of full time. I told him that it could help teenagers gain independence for themselves, and I know that American families send to their children to work, so the children could earn them own extra money. Mostly I persuaded him. Finally, his father decided to give his son permission. He said that his son was lucky to have me as a friend. Meanwhile, my friend called me to thank me with his happy tears. After we hung up with each other, I went to take a nap. I was feeling good that I taught my friend’s father a valuable lesson, and I felt proud of myself for making a better relationship between a father and a son.
-Jun Sang Yoo

Working at Walt Disney World

When I was child, I always dreamed about traveling to the United States or Europe. Most people in Indonesia thought that America and Europe are great countries. Many people wanted to go abroad to study or to get job in America or Europe. Also, many people talked about Disneyland in America, France, or Japan. It took a long time to think about that, but my dream was coming to the United States. America is a great country with many freedoms, such as freedom of religion, freedom of travel, and freedom of speech. Because of my money situation, I thought I would never go to the United States, but it was not true. Suddenly, I got a job at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, through an International Program. I had been working at one of the French hotels in Jakarta for six years as a bartender, and this was going to be a great change for me. Walt Disney World was changing my life because I began to understand American life, such as how to earn salary, maintaining a household, and that people with disabilities have a right just like healthy people. When I began to work there, I always had problem communicating in English. Many people came from different countries and spoke different languages. As you know, Walt Disney World has been a great amusement park from the past until today. They treat employees well. They also have different rules than other amusement parks. If I was in a bad mood one day, I had to smile and be a good employee. It is so important to smile at every one because without smiles, we would probably lose many guests. It was difficult to get a job at Walt Disney World because there are so many rules have to follow. Many people wanted to apply to work in this company. I am one of them that Walt Disney World accepted as a good representative from my country, Indonesia. Before I came here, some people made fun of me for wanting to work for Walt Disney World. They said I would become a Mickey Mouse character or some other character because they thought that going to America was going to slavery. However, I had never listened to those people. I had never given up my dream no matter what people said about the Walt Disney companies. Many friends and customers supported me to go. For instance, when I got the job, I did not have any money, so some of my friends and customers made some donations. I came to the United States with only a hundred fifty dollars, and I only brought a big suitcase and some important documents. I had wonderful time when I used to work at Walt Disney World. I think without Walt Disney World, I would never have come to the United States. Now, I am happy to be here, and someday I would like to go back and work at Walt Disney again.
-Antonius Pulung-Hartanto